Los angeles hotel discount

OPENS JULY 28. This show gets tubular about surfing's influence on Pacific Rim economics, myth, marketing, and of course, pop culture, with works ranging from ancient Peruvian pictographs to contemporary pieces by "cool school" art grads like Billy Al Bengston and John McCracken. Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach, 949-494-8971.

AUGUST

THE TOP TEN

1 LET IT SHINE: IMPROVISATION IN AFRICAN AMERICAN STAR QUILTS

CONTINUING. This small corner of Eli Leon's 1,500-strong quilt collection focuses on 23 contemporary panels that show how their makers artfully dodged the perfectionist impulse and reveled in the unexpected. Craft & Folk Art Museum, 5614 Wilshire Blvd., 323-937-4230.

2 BLUE

OPENS AUG. 30. In Charles Randolph Wright's '70s-flashback comedy, a young man comes of age in a family of quirky funeral parlor proprietors. Sheldon Epps directs this West Coast premiere, which features Phylicia Rashad as the high-maintenance mom and a score by Nona Hendryx. Call for times and prices. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, 626-356-7529.

3 CARTOON NETWORK'S 9 3/4 BIRTHDAY

CONTINUING. Sure there are Powerpuff Girls episodes, but the "Adult Swim" program includes spoofs like the rock-solid The Sopranstones and the wiseacre Yogi Bear remake Ranger Smith. Call for times and prices. Museum of Television & Radio, 465 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-786-1000.

4 NEW WORLD FLAMENCO FESTIVAL

AUG. 9-18. For the second year running, the Barclay theater has rounded up an international who's who for nuevo world premieres, old-school tributes, and workshops for pros ("Flamenco for Ballet Dancers") and tots ("Flamenco Percussion for Kids"). Call for times and prices. The Barclay, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine, 949-854-4646.

5 7TH ANNUAL CENTRAL AVENUE JAZZ FESTIVAL

JULY 27-28. Tour the legendary Dunbar Hotel, tuck into some fine delectables, and take in pianist Gerald Wiggins, vocalist Ernie Andrews, sax man Plas Johnson, and trumpeter Oscar Brashear at this daytime block party. Call for times. Admission, free. Central Ave. between 42nd and 43rd Sts., 213-473-0628.

6 DANUBE EXODUS: THE RIPPLING CURRENTS OF THE RIVER

OPENS AUG. 17. Hungarian director Peter Forgacs takes his 1998 film Danube Exodus, which used a riverboat captain's footage of Jews and Germans being ferried in opposite directions during World War II, and expands it into an interactive installation. Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr., West L.A., 310-440-7300.

7 NORAH JONES

JULY 31. Who wouldn't want to come away with the songbird whose Blue Note debut gave her instant acclaim? Call for time and prices. Ford Amphitheater, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, 213-480-3232.

8 7TH ANNUAL LOS ANGELES TOFU FESTIVAL

AUG. 10-11. As part of the 62nd Annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival, Jozu, Electric Lotus, and the Zen Grill do exciting things to bean curd, and shiatsu and reflexology experts at the Health & Fitness Expo get heavy-handed in a good way. (Proceeds benefit Little Tokyo Service Center.) Call for times. Tickets, $2. San Pedro St. between 2nd and 3rd Sts., www.tofufest.org.

9 7TH ANNUAL BEST OF L.A.[R] PARTY

AUG. 7. Okay, we're partial. The Los Angeles magazine soiree hits all its marks when talent featured in the Best of L.A.[R] and restaurant issues provides the goods. Save room for the silent auction. (Proceeds benefit Los Angeles County Museum of Art.) 6-11. Tickets, $75-$125. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., 323-801-0051.

10 ARMORY CENTER FOR THE ARTS

JULY 29-AUG. 20. Adults may want to sign up, but only kids ages 3 to 18 need apply for these workshops: `zine publishing, robot design, labyrinth building, TV production, and letterpress lessons. Call for times and prices. 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, 626-792-5101.

MUSIC

Jazz, Rock & World Beat

Smokey & Miho July 24 and 25. Guitarist Smokey Hormel (a Tom Waits and Beck sideman) and Cibo Matto singer-songwriter Miho Hatori bask in their '60s-flavored bossa nova. July 24: Call for time and prices. Spaceland, 1717 Silver Lake Blvd., 213-833-2843. July 25: At 7:30. Admission, free. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A., 310-440-4500.

Henry Mancini Institute July 27-Aug. 17. The next generation jams with flutist Hubert Laws on opening night (July 27) and backs up singer Patti Austin at the "Mancini Musicale" gala (Aug. 17). Call for times. Concerts: Admission, free. Gala: Tickets, $275. Schoenberg and Royce Halls, UCLA, Westwood, 310-845-1900.

Down from the Mountain Aug. 1. Alison Krauss & Union Station, Emmylou Hams, Patty Loveless, Ralph Stanley, and Ricky Skaggs maximize the mileage from O Brother, Where Art Thou? Call for time and prices. Greek Theater, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., 213-480-3232.

Unlimited Sunshine Aug. 11. The band Cake supplies frosting in the form of De La Soul, Kinky, the Flaming Lips, and Modest Mouse. Call for time and prices. Greek Theater, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., 213-480-3232.

John Hiatt & the Goner. Aug. 14. The tiki bar's open, but the singer-songwriter's singer-songwriter gets juiced in a different way At 9. Tickets, $30. House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323-848-5100.

John Mayer Aug. 17. This year's Duncan Sheik makes the little girls shriek. Call for time and prices. Greek Theater, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., 213-480-3232.

Dave Brubeck Quartet Aug. 19. With orchestra in tow, the pianist offers more blue rondo for your buck. At 8. Tickets, $55-$65. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Dr., Cerritos, 800-300-4345.

Yes Aug. 23. If the waves of correspondence to the Los Angeles Times are any indication, these prog-asaurs are still kicking. Call for time and prices. Universal Theater, Universal City, 213-480-3232.

Sonic Youth Aug. 25-26. The renegade princess and her art-rock crew can't stop saying good-bye to the 20th century. At 8. Tickets, $20. El Rey Theater, 5515 Wilshire Blvd., 213-480-3232.

Ozzfest Aug. 31. Feel the love with Rob Zombie, P.O.D., System of a Down, the Apex Theory and of course, the Christmas-dinner gravy maker extraordinaire. Call for time and prices. Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion, 2555 Devore Rd., San Bernardino, 213-480-3232.

23rd Annual Long Beach Blues Festival Aug. 31-Sept. 1. KLON's Rock & Soul Revue II's got extra bump with Robert Cray, Etta James, Dr. John, Ben E. King, and Otis Rush. Call for times and prices. North athletic field, Palo Verde Ave. and Atherton St., Cal State Long Beach, Long Beach, 562-985-1686.

Hollywood Bowl Highlights

Tony Bennett Aug. 7. Moon glow, indeed.

Thomas Quasthoff Aug. 13. Esa-Pekka Salonen and the L.A. Phil back the baritone who's the leader of lieder.

Soul Night Aug. 14. Stax artist Isaac Hayes and sax man Maceo Parker cook.

Spirit `n' Soul Aug. 25 Erykah Badu's stateside soul and Zap Mama's Brussels-bred beat could unite nations. Call for times and prices. 230l N. Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323-850-2000.

Ford Amphitheater Highlights

Bluegrass at the Ford Aug. 10. Fiddler Byron Berline stays true to the roots, while the Witcher Brothers insist it dank mean a thing if they play some western swing.

Summerfest La Jolla Aug. 12. Esa-Pekka Salonen joins the players from this chamber-music fest for his five Images After Sappho.

Jazz Tap Ensemble Aug. 23. Director Lynn Dally clears the stage for Derick K. Grant (Bring in `Da Noise, Bring in `Da Funk) and Channing Cook Holmes (Riverdance).

Ballet Folklorico del Pacifico Aug. 31. The company celebrates its tenth anniversary with the world premiere of Frida: Magia y Color.

Call for times and prices. 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, 323-GO1-FORD.

Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series Highlights

Natacha Atlas and Rachid Taha July 25. Euro-Arabic singer Atlas knocks out the gathered with her voice and her belly dancing. Rai rocker Taha supplies ample testosterone.

Graham Parker Aug. 1. How many smart singer-songwriters get to play at Streisand's wedding rap with Salt-N-Pepa, and jam with Jerry Lee Lewis?

Delbert McClinton Aug. 15. The Grammy winner specializes in Saturday-night roadhouse blues and Sunday-morning gospel regret.

Quetzal and B-Side Players Aug. 22. Straight outta Aztlan are local folk rockers Quetzal and the funkified B-Side Players.

At 7:30. Admission, free. Santa Monica Pier, Ocean and Colorado Aves., Santa Monica, 310-458-8900.

FAIRS, FETES & FESTS

18th Annual Summer Party July 27. Get out of your shell, because Lobster exec chef Allyson Thurber chairs, comic Alison Arngrim helms the comedy stage, and the roulette wheels spin at AIDS Project Los Angeles's annual soiree. (Proceeds benefit APLA.) 7:30-midnight. Tickets, $65-$75. Universal Studios Back Lot, Universal City, www.apla.org.